Peru’s ex-leader dies from self-inflicted gunshot, officials say

The Associated Press

6 years ago

Peru's police officers stand guard at the emergency hospital Casimiro Ulloa where former Peruvi ... — Peru’s police officers stand guard at the emergency hospital Casimiro Ulloa where former Peruvian President Alan Garcia was taken after he shot himself in his neck, in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Garcia shot himself before being detained by police. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

Peru President Alan Garcia, left, ride the soon to be inaugurated Line 1 electrical train system in Lima, Peru on July 22, 2011. A lawyer for the former Peruvian President Alan García said Wednesday, April 17, 2019, the leader shot himself before being detained by police amid allegations he received illegal payment from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia, File)

Supporters of former Peruvian President Alan Garcia gather outside the hospital where Garcia was taken after he shot himself, in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, April 17, 2019. García shot himself in the head before being detained by police amid allegations he received illegal payment from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, his lawyer said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

Health Minister Zulema Tomas speaks at a news conference at the Casimiro Ulloa hospital where former Peruvian President Alan Garcia was taken after he shot himself, in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Peru’s Health Ministry said García was sent to the hospital at 6:45 a.m. local time for a bullet wound to the head. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

Police officers stand guard at the emergency entrance of the Casimiro Ulloa hospital where former Peruvian President Alan Garcia was taken after he shot himself, in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, April 17, 2019. García shot himself in the head before being detained by police amid allegations he received illegal payment from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, his lawyer said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

LIMA, Peru — Officials say former Peruvian President Alan García is dead after shooting himself in the head as police came to detain him in connection with a corruption probe.

Current President Martinez Vizcarra said the 69-year-old head of state died Wednesday after undergoing emergency surgery at the José Casimiro Ulloa Hospital in Peru’s capital.

Garcia was a populist firebrand who twice ruled Peru and more recently was under investigation related to Latin America’s largest graft probe.

Prosecutors said they believed the former president received more than $100,000 from Odebrecht, disguised as a payment to speak at a conference in Brazil.

Garcia professed his innocence and said he was being targeted politically.

Health Minister Zulema Tomás said doctors provided cardiac resuscitation three times and were proceeding to operate on the 69-year-old former head of state at the José Casimiro Ulloa Hospital in Peru’s capital city of Lima.

Local television program ‘Hablemos Claro’ reported that when police arrived to García’s residence to arrest him, the ex-president shut himself in his room and attempted to take his life.